Posted Date: 23-Sep-2009 Wednes

History was created on Sunday morning last, when Inishowen Athletics Club won two team bronze medals at the National half marathon championships in Stranorlar. Helena Crossan led the women’s, team to the podium with a strong finishing time of 1 hour 23 minutes and 51 seconds. She was supported by Theresa Doherty who raced to 1.36.56 and Evelyn Mc Ginely impressing with 1.39.42. The accumulative times gave the Inishowen ladies much deserved bronze medals behind. Mayo A.C. Donore Harriers from Dublin took the silver medals. Malin runner Joe Mc Kinney set a new club record of 1 hour 16 minutes and 45 seconds when leading the masters’ men to bronze medals behind Dublin based club Rathfarnam. Mayo A.C. claimed the silver medals. The second scorer was James Browne who ran 1.17.49, with the consistent Finbarr Gallagher the third scoring member in a personal best performance of 1.23.03. Other Inishowen runners to perform well included Elizabeth Mc Daid, 1.42.17, Breege Collins, 2.23.24, Susan Mc Grath 2.23.37, Paddy Doherty 1.23.32 (personal best), Martin Mooney, 1.29.53, Mickey Donaghy, 1.30.24, Vinnie Hegarty, 1.30.26, Patrick Mc Laughlin 1.32.09, Peter Mc Kinney, 1.39.29, Michael Collins, 1.39.38 and Seamus Mc Daid 1.48.42.

Paddy Doherty led home a 10 member team at the Dessie’s Run 10k road race on Thursday 25th August. The Buncrana runner ran 37.05 for the Gransha circuit. Finbarr Gallagher finished in 37.16, with Shane Doherty on 39.28, Mickey Donaghey 41.02, Brigid Moohan 42.48, Vinnie Hegarty, 45.19, Michael Collins 46.96, Brendan Duffy, 46.06, Clive Bell 47.45 and Margaret O’ Donnell 49.54.

Up-Coming Events

The annual Waterside half marathon is set for this Saturday morning 12th September at 11am. A large crowd is expected to Gransha Park, with the event incorporating a team relay consisting of 3 runners and a 3k fun run. The Ballyare 10k also takes place on Saturday with a starting time of 5.30pm. The final race in the Donegal Grand Prix will be the County 5km championships on Sunday 20th September at 11.30 am